Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-16
SPOOKS.
A GHOST Story TOLD BY A LAW
YER.
The Injunction Of a Phantom Grand
father-A Singular and Marvel
lous Incident.

are now and then facts TO a certainty.
Therefore, in condemning given IN
stance as the result Of fancy or false
hood, we should reflec that its occur
renee, though not self-evident, was yet
possible. True, there are many stories
of spectres that bear the stamp OF false
hood on their faces, whereas there are
but few that invite one to investigate
their deep mysteries, but these last
mentioned few authentic cases often
furnish evidence so convincing that
they all but establish the credit Of splr-
itual presence beyond the possibility
Of attack from even the most able
skeptic."
Such was the statement of ex-Judge
R, lawyer, vhos though retired
from the active practice of his profes-
sion, is still a highly-respected and
often-sought counsellor. While walk
ING in Central Park on a recent
evening he was approached by a cores,
pondent of the Globe Democrat, and
the course of conversation before long
led to the subject of ghosts, calling
forth not only the above lucid opinion,
but also the following story, which Is
printed with his permission, his name
being withheld as the only condition
81 think it was about thirty years
ago, one spring morning, as ! sat in my
Office in Wall street, that young man
called on me and asked my advice in
the following manner: He said his
name was George D. H; that his
grandfather was an English noble that
he had run away from home and mar
ried beneath his station, and, after wan
dering for four years, he now found it
impossible to live and support his
family. which consisted of a wife
and three little children. He had
on elder brother at home in
England who was heir to the title,
but he understood that that brother had
also quarrelled with his grandfather,
and married n woman OF n family
against which his grandfather's family
cherished an hereditary enmity, and
| that the heir had also been banished.
Now comes the strange part OF the
story. While littering down his horses
| on the previous evening the young
noble had become q stable-boy) he was
much surprised to hear his name called
out in an imperious voice from the other
end OF the stables. On going there he
was much terrified by seeing his aristo-
cratic grandfather standing there in
full court dress, natural as life. You
are the last Of our race, said the spec
ire (for such it was), therefore | for
give you; return to England and claim
| your birthright. You will find my will
in the third drawer OF the large linen
dresser in the housekeeper's room.
She has hid it there to defraud you.
When you get your estste live as /
lived, for the honor of the family.
Remember, God expects You to be not
only man, but o nobleman. Your
brother is dead.
Having finished these words the
ghost disappeared, leaving George
greatly bewildered. When he got 10
the top of the tenement-house where
was his modest home he told his wife
the story, and she at once believed in
its truth and advised him to go to Il
lawyer. Women either go to a clergy
man, lawyer, or n doctor in all cases
OF difficulty. | was much surprised
with the young mans story, and
was a little afraid that hard work
and trouble had proved too much
for his mind. | advised him
to return to England, leaving his wife
and family, bnt this he would not do.
then told him to go to the English
Consul and ask advice. This be did,
and next day returned to my Office to
say that he had ascertained from the
Consul that his grandfather and brother
we're both dead, and that he was IN
doubtedly heir to the estates. The
Consul sent him and his family to Eng
land shortly after, and for several years
heard no more Of the matter.
"a few years later ] was in London.
The dav was one OF those days 50 rare
in that city. 1t was actually clear, and
no fog in sight. | was stroiling down
Piccadi!ly, seeing the sights and
smoking a cigar, when a gentleman ap-
preached me from the entrance OF one
Of the clubs, and, after looking at me
moment, came to my side and spoke.
Are you not Mr.. -, Of New York ?
Pardon me if not, but you 50 remind
me of that gentleman that L have ven
tured to ask Il am, ] replied, 'but !
am quite at fault in memory as to who
addresses me- DO you not remem-
Der young man who called at your
Office on Wall street three years ago
and related a story about a spectral
grandfather seen in horse-stable 2
Il do, replied, and recognized that
my QuostiOner was the same person.
Come into the club and | will tell you
what happened after 1 left America.
10 enter the club and get seated by a
hottie Of champagne was only matter
Of minutes. The gentleman then told
me his story, which was long, and has
in part passed from my mind. As
well as ] can recollect it was as follows,
given briefly, from the beginning:
"In about the year 1853, Henry,
son Of the Earl of --, died, leaving
two sons-Henry, the eldest, and
George, both yonng men. Tie old
Earl was one OF the most imperiOus
and absolute Of men. He insisted that
Henry should marry a lady several
years his senior, and that George should
enter the navy. Both young men were
contrary-minded. George eloped to
America, taking with him the parsons
daughter to whom he was welded, and
never giving his grandfather any word
of his wedding or flight. Henry mean
while married a poor relation, &
lovely girl, whose beauty so fal
soitened the old Earl that he became
to all appearances, reconciled to the
match and invited Henry and her tc
live with him. The Earl, however
made her life utterly miserable, unen
durable, and one day she went out to q
ruined tower at distance from the hal
in the larger park and cut her throa
with her husbands razor. The place
was carefully searched, and she wa,
found by her husband and the Earl a
the same time. She left a note saying
Perhaps grandfather will forgive yol
when | am gone The Earl went t.
call the servants to take the body to thu
hall, and while gone Henry pu
an end to his life with the same razor
The Earl was greatly Mortified at thi
terrible tragedy, and bitterly curse
himself as the cause. He was utterl.
| IL, 1o,.,, o,,1 J;ad coo, oftar Re